BlackBerry 10 Capable Of Running 98% Of Android Apps

One of the disadvantages to using the BlackBerry 10 platform is that there aren’t as many apps compared to iOS and Android. However one of the unique features of BlackBerry is its ability to run Android apps as well. This might not necessarily result in the best experience since some apps aren’t optimized for BlackBerry devices, but if you really need the app, there is a good chance you can run it.

BlackBerry’s CEO, John Chen, seems to particularly proud about this feature of BlackBerry and has recent boasted that the platform is able to run 98% of all Android apps. He revealed this during a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal where he answered the question, why should consumers buy a BlackBerry phone?

According to Chen, “Android’s strength isn’t really the quality of the phone, which BlackBerry has. BlackBerry phones are well put together. We have a great BlackBerry Messenger experience, a great operating system. And it’s the most secure phone. Secure not only in data, but in personal identity. Younger consumers love all kinds of apps, and BlackBerry runs 98% of all the Android apps. All BlackBerry die-hards know they can run Android apps.”

In fact it seems that over in Indonesia, BlackBerry is promoting the BlackBerry Z3 as being “Android Ready”. It’s an interesting angle for BlackBerry, although we’re sure that if consumers wanted Android, they would go for Android, right? What do you guys think? Does the 98% Android app compatibility make BlackBerry 10 devices more attractive? Is it truly the best of both worlds?